US20140260156A1 - Flail rotor head attachment - Google Patents
Flail rotor head attachment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140260156A1 US20140260156A1 US14/286,318 US201414286318A US2014260156A1 US 20140260156 A1 US20140260156 A1 US 20140260156A1 US 201414286318 A US201414286318 A US 201414286318A US 2014260156 A1 US2014260156 A1 US 2014260156A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- flail rotor
- auger
- flail
- head attachment
- attachment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/412—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D41/00—Combines, i.e. harvesters or mowers combined with threshing devices
- A01D41/12—Details of combines
- A01D41/14—Mowing tables
- A01D41/16—Devices for coupling mowing tables to conveyors
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D43/00—Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing
- A01D43/08—Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing with means for cutting up the mown crop, e.g. forage harvesters
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to head attachments for harvesting machines and, more particularly, to a flail rotor head attachment which is especially adapted for use in conjunction with a forage harvester.
- Crop residue has a number of different uses, for example, it is sometimes further processed in a variety of ways for use as bio-fuel, animal feed or other bi-products. Collecting crop residue from harvested fields oftentimes involves the use of several different types of machines. For example, once a corn crop has been harvested, standing corn stubble or already combined corn stalks remain in the field. This corn stubble or stalks is typically harvested for use as animal feed.
- Windrowing is a row of cut crop residue such as a small grain crop or hay which is organized and collected in a row on the ground and allowed to dry before being baled, combined or rolled as necessary.
- a flail windrower machine is used to accomplish this task. A flail windrower will cut, shred and windrow the remaining corn stalks in a single pass and will build neat, uniform windrows on the ground ready for baling or stacking.
- the volume of such residue from time to time may necessitate the use of a rake for combining two or more windrows together, creating piles of crop residue large enough to be processed such as by a forage harvester.
- the windrowed stalks are typically baled in a second operation through the use of a baler machine.
- the baler will parcel the crop residue into bales for pickup at a later time.
- a forage harvester may be used to pick up the windrowed crop residue and load the same into a vehicle for transport.
- the bailed or otherwise gathered corn residue is then transported to a feed yard in a transportation operation where the bales or collected crop residue are then further ground and mixed with other feed or supplements in a further operation for use as animal feed.
- the present invention relates generally to head attachments for harvesting machines and, more particularly, to a flail rotor head attachment which is especially adapted for use in conjunction with a forage harvester.
- Crop residue has a number of different uses, for example, it is sometimes further processed in a variety of ways for use as bio-fuel, animal feed or other bi-products. Collecting crop residue from harvested fields oftentimes involves the use of several different types of machines. For example, once a corn crop has been harvested, standing corn stubble or already combined corn stalks remain in the field. This corn stubble or stalks is typically harvested for use as animal feed.
- Windrowing is a row of cut crop residue such as a small grain crop or hay which is organized and collected in a row on the ground and allowed to dry before being baled, combined or rolled as necessary.
- a flail windrower machine is used to accomplish this task. A flail windrower will cut, shred and windrow the remaining corn stalks in a single pass and will build neat, uniform windrows on the ground ready for baling or stacking.
- the volume of such residue from time to time may necessitate the use of a rake for combining two or more windrows together, creating piles of crop residue large enough to be processed such as by a forage harvester.
- the windrowed stalks are typically baled in a second operation through the use of a baler machine.
- the baler will parcel the crop residue into bales for pickup at a later time.
- a forage harvester may be used to pick up the windrowed crop residue and load the same into a vehicle for transport.
- the bailed or otherwise gathered corn residue is then transported to a feed yard in a transportation operation where the bales or collected crop residue are then further ground and mixed with other feed or supplements in a further operation for use as animal feed.
- the present invention teaches the construction and operation of several embodiments of a flail rotor head attachment adaptable for use with a forage harvester and other machines in gathering, collecting, cutting and chopping crop residue such as already combined corn stalks in a single pass for use as animal feed or other bi-products.
- the present apparatus combines multiple operations associated with gathering and using crop residue, which streamlined operation is more efficient, greatly improves the method of harvesting crop residue, eliminates multiple passes over the same harvested field using a multitude of different types of farm equipment, and it greatly improves profitability.
- the operator By mounting the present flail rotor head attachment on the front of a forage or silage harvester, the operator is able to extract corn stalks or stubble or other crop residue from a row, cut and chop the foliage into a ready-to-feed form, and then place the chopped crop residue into a vehicle such as a truck or wagon for transportation to a feed yard or other location.
- a vehicle such as a truck or wagon for transportation to a feed yard or other location.
- This process is completed with one machine and one operator thereby replacing the need for the use of multiple machines and multiple operators as presently accomplished.
- the present apparatus and process eliminates the need for use of a flail windrower for windrowing the crop residue, and it likewise eliminates the need for raking, baling or rolling the crop residue prior to transportation to its end destination.
- a flail rotor head attachment for gathering standing or downed crop residue
- the apparatus includes a housing and associated frame structure operably coupled to the front portion of a forage harvester or other harvesting type machine, the housing including a flail rotor and an auger.
- the flail rotor includes a plurality of cutting elements for cutting and/or chopping crop residue enroute to the forage harvester.
- the flail rotor is positioned and located so as to pick up the crop residue directly off of the ground and then feed such crop residue into an associated auger for funneling the residue through the input opening associated with the forage harvester.
- the auger feeds the crop residue from each opposite end portion towards the center for discharge into the inlet opening of the forage harvester.
- a driveline with an associated drive sprocket powers the flail rotor and auger through connection to the forage harvester.
- the present apparatus includes a drive assembly which is powered by the driveline for moving the flail rotor and auger in the same direction.
- the drive assembly may include a plurality of pulleys, drives, tensioners, and other mechanisms for connecting the flail rotor and the auger to the driveline.
- the driveline is conventionally coupled to a gear box or other power means associated with the forage harvester or an adapter as will be hereinafter further explained.
- the flail rotor head attachment is provided with a rake mechanism for receiving crop residue from the flail rotor and thereafter passing such crop residue onto the auger.
- the rake mechanism is located between the flail rotor and the auger and includes a shaft with a plurality of pick-up teeth associated therewith.
- the rake shaft is likewise coupled to the drive assembly for powering the rake mechanism through the driveline associated with the present apparatus.
- the rake mechanism will improve the pick-up and funneling of the crop residue to the auger.
- the flail rotor and rake will rotate in the same direction while the auger will rotate in the opposite direction.
- the flail rotor, auger and rake mechanisms are all supported on a frame structure associated with the overall housing.
- This frame structure likewise includes an attachment mechanism for coupling the overall head attachment to a forage harvester or other crop harvesting machine.
- the flail rotor, rake mechanism and auger may include a plurality of such mechanisms coupled together for unit movement.
- the housing may likewise include a hood for providing access to the internal structure of the present head attachment.
- the various embodiments of the present flail rotor head attachment can be utilized and coupled to any work machine in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present flail rotor head assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention shown attached to a forage harvester.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 1 taken through the exit opening of the housing and the input opening of an adapter associated with a forage harvester.
- FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a flail rotor associated with the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of an auger associated with the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a conventional Kuma adapter and the exit opening of the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 1 attached to a forage harvester and showing the drive assembly associated therewith.
- FIG. 6 is a bottom plan form view of the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 1 attached to a forage harvester.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present flail rotor head attachment taken through the exit opening of the housing and the input opening of a forage harvester constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 8 attached to a forage harvester and showing the drive assembly associated therewith.
- FIG. 10 is a side view of the second side of the flail rotor head attachment of FIG. 8 .
- FIGS. 1-7 identify one embodiment of a flail rotor head attachment 10 for cutting and collecting crop residue from the ground.
- the flail rotor head attachment 10 may be operably attached to a forage harvester such as the forage harvester 20 , or to any other similar type of machine which further processes crop residue.
- the forage harvester 20 operates in a traditional manner by cutting and chopping the crop residue and the present flail rotor head attachment 10 operates to more effectively and efficiently gather, collect and cut crop residue prior to entry into the forage harvester in a single pass thereby eliminating multiple passes over the same harvested field with different types of farm equipment to accomplish the same task.
- the forage harvester 20 feeds the crop residue into a chute 30 for depositing the crop residue into a vehicle such as the vehicle 40 illustrated in FIG. 1 for transporting the processed crop residue to its end destination.
- the flail rotor head attachment 10 includes a housing 50 and associated frame structure for operably connecting or coupling the attachment 10 to the front portion of a forage harvester 20 .
- the housing 50 may further include a hood 60 which may be removably attached or otherwise opened and/or removed for access to the flail rotor 70 and the auger 80 .
- the housing 50 may be operably attached to the frame structure by any suitable attachment means.
- the flail rotor head attachment 10 includes a housing 50 and associated frame structure for operably connecting or coupling the attachment 10 to the front portion of a forage harvester 20 .
- the housing 50 may further include a hood 60 which may be removably attached or otherwise opened and/or removed for access to the flail rotor 70 and the auger 80 .
- the housing 50 may be operably attached to the frame structure by any suitable attachment means.
- the flail rotor head attachment 10 includes a flail rotor 70 and an auger 80 .
- the attachment 10 may include one or more flail rotors 70 operatively coupled together to function as a single unit, and it may include one or more augers 80 similarly operatively coupled together to function as a single unit, depending on the desired length of the overall head attachment 10 as will be hereinafter further explained.
- the flail rotor 70 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 6 - 8 is positioned in front of auger 80 and includes a plurality of cutting elements 90 for cutting and/or chopping crop residue as it picks up such residue from the ground and funnels it to the auger 80 and to the forage harvester 20 .
- the cutting elements 90 may be removable from the flail rotor 70 for facilitating sharpening and/or replacement and, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 , are operably secured to the flail rotor 70 such that they extend outward in their operative position when the flail rotor 70 is in motion.
- each cutting element 90 is freely attached to a bracket or clamp member 92 by means of a carriage clasp or ring type member 94 which allows the cutting element 90 to freely move from a position wherein the element 90 lies adjacent to or abutting the flail rotor 70 as shown in FIG. 3A to an operative extended position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 .
- the rotational movement or centrifugal force generated by rotation of the flail rotor 70 keeps the cutting elements 90 extended to both cut and collect the crop residue as the attachment 10 moves through a harvested field.
- the bracket member 92 may include a stop mechanism or other structure for preventing the cutting elements 90 from over extending.
- the cutting elements 90 may be attached to the flail rotor 70 so as to permanently extend in an operative position.
- the flail rotor 70 functions to cut, chop and remove crop residue including harvested corn stalks directly from the ground.
- the flail rotor 70 is also positioned and located in the housing 50 and relative to the auger 80 as illustrated in FIG. 2 so as to feed the crop residue into auger 80 for funneling the crop residue out of the housing exit opening 56 ( FIG. 4 ) and into the input opening 100 of a conventional Kuma adapter 175 .
- the flail rotor 70 can include a single rotor extending the full width of the head attachment 10 such as the width illustrated in FIG. 1 , or the flail rotor 70 can include a plurality of rotors 70 coupled in operative alignment with each other so as to span the entire width of the head attachment 10 and such that the drive assemblies 160 associated with each opposite end of the attachment 10 drive the entire plurality of flail rotors 70 .
- a pair of flail rotors 70 are illustrated therein connected in operative alignment with each other and coupled at each opposite end to a respective drive assembly 160 for powering the same.
- any plurality of flail rotors, including more than two rotors 70 can be operatively connected in alignment with each other to both accommodate the overall width of the head attachment 10 and to facilitate installation and maintenance thereof.
- the flail rotor head attachment 10 likewise includes an auger 80 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 6 .
- the auger 80 includes a pair of flightings 130 A and 130 B as best illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 6 , each flighting 130 being oriented in a manner so as to funnel the crop residue coming into contact with the flightings 130 A and 130 B from the flail rotor 70 towards the center of the head attachment 10 and, more particularly, towards the housing exit opening 56 for feeding such crop residue through the exit opening 56 and into the input opening 100 associated with the Kuma adapter 175 ( FIG. 4 ). As illustrated in FIGS.
- the auger 80 in this particular embodiment includes two separate augers coupled in operative alignment with each other, one auger 80 including the fighting 130 A and the other auger 80 including the flighting 130 B.
- auger 80 including the flighting 130 A includes a shaft portion 110
- the auger 80 including flighting 130 B includes a shaft portion 120 , the shaft portions 110 and 120 being operatively connected together at one end portion thereof as illustrated in FIG. 6 and having their opposite end portions connected to the respective drive assemblies 160 .
- the auger 80 is positioned and located aft of the flail rotor 70 and rotates in the same direction as compared to the flail rotor 70 such that the crop residue received from the flail rotor 70 is continuously moved and funneled rearwardly through the auger 80 and through the housing exit opening 56 as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- the housing 50 may include a shield member 82 positioned and located underneath the auger 80 and adjacent to the flail rotor 70 for facilitating the funneling of the crop residue from the flail rotor 70 to the auger 80 .
- the shield 82 also helps to prevent crop residue from falling to the bottom of the housing 50 and becoming unavailable for funneling to the forage harvester 20 .
- any plurality of augers 80 can be operatively connected in alignment with each other so long as the flightings 130 A and 130 B are properly oriented with respect to the plurality of augers so that the crop residue is again funneled to the middle of the housing and to the exit opening 56 . It is likewise recognized and anticipated that a single auger 80 can be utilized so long as the fighting associated with each opposite end portion of a single auger is again configured differently so as to be comparable to the flightings 130 A and 130 B such that the crop residue will be funneled to the center portion of the housing 50 .
- a driveline 140 is associated with the rear portion of the head attachment 10 for providing power to the drive assemblies 160 located at each opposite end portion of the flail rotor 70 and auger 80 .
- the driveline 140 and the drive assemblies 160 form the drive mechanism of the attachment 10 .
- the driveline 140 includes a drive sprocket 150 located at each opposite end portion thereof for powering the auger 80 and it likewise includes a sprocket or pulley 155 located at each opposite end portion thereof for powering the flail rotor 70 as will be hereinafter further explained.
- the entire drive assembly 160 located at each opposite end of the head attachment 10 is powered by the driveline 140 which is conventionally coupled to a gear box 170 or other power means associated with either the adapter 175 or the forage harvester 20 .
- the drive assemblies 160 may include a plurality of pulleys, sprockets, drives, tensioners and other mechanisms for connecting the flail rotor 70 and the auger 80 to the driveline 140 .
- the driveline 140 is split at the center thereof and includes a pair of connecting members 142 for coupling to a gear box 170 or other power means associated with either an adapter or the forage harvester 20 .
- a conventional Kuma adapter 175 is utilized between the forage harvester 20 and the present head attachment 10 for coupling the head attachment 10 to the harvester 20 .
- the Kuma adapter is well-known in the industry and is used to attach any combine-type head to a forage harvester.
- the Kuma adapter 175 includes a drive shaft 177 ( FIG. 4 ) which is attachable at each opposite end portion to the coupling members 142 associated with driveline 140 .
- a gear box 170 ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) is associated with the adapter 175 and powers the drive shaft 177 .
- the driveline of the forage harvester 20 is connected to the gear box 170 and powers the same.
- the driveline 140 can be connected to the power means of the forage harvester 20 through the adapter by any suitable means. Still further, in certain situations, it is also recognized and anticipated that the driveline 140 can be coupled directly to the power means associated with the forage harvester by any suitable coupling means.
- the drive assemblies 160 each further include an auger drive sprocket 210 which is operatively coupled to the auger 80 and is further operatively coupled to the drive sprocket 150 via a chain, belt or other drive means 220 for facilitating rotation thereof as best illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- the flail rotor 70 includes a flail drive pulley or sprocket 180 which is operatively coupled to the flail rotor 70 and is further operatively coupled to the drive pulley or sprocket 155 via a belt, chain or other drive means 190 for facilitating rotation thereof as best illustrated in FIG. 5 .
- a tensioning mechanism 200 is positioned and located adjacent to the flail drive pulley or sprocket 180 and engages the belt or other drive means 190 for ensuring that the drive means 190 remains tight when the flail rotor 70 is in operation.
- a similar tensioning sprocket 215 is positioned and located to engage the chain or other drive means 220 for ensuring that the drive means 220 remains tight when the auger 80 is in operation. It is recognized and anticipated that other drive assembly arrangements may likewise be utilized at each opposite end of the head attachment 10 for turning the flail rotor 70 and the auger 80 in the same direction. It is also recognized and anticipated that only one drive assembly 160 located at only one of the opposite ends of the attachment 10 may be utilized to rotate the flail rotor 70 and the auger 80 .
- the drive sprocket 150 in conjunction with the auger sprocket 210 and its associated drive means 220 turn the auger 80 in one direction.
- the drive pulley or sprocket 155 in conjunction with the flail drive pulley or sprocket 180 and its associated drive means 190 turn the flail rotor 70 in one direction.
- the flail rotor 70 cuts and picks up crop material from the ground and the cutting elements 90 move the crop residue to the auger 80 so that the auger 80 can then funnel the crop residue through the housing exit opening 56 and into the adapter opening 100 for feeding the crop residue into the forage harvester 20 .
- the housing 50 associated with the present head attachment 10 is configured so as to facilitate the funneling of the crop residue from the flail rotor 70 to the auger 80 .
- the Kuma adapter 175 likewise includes a conveying means in the form of rotating blades 179 for feeding the crop residue through the Kuma adapter 175 and into the forage harvester.
- the harvester 20 will further cut, chop and process the crop residue into a ready-to-feed form for transfer to a vehicle such as the vehicle 40 ( FIG. 1 ) for transportation to a feed yard or other location.
- the additional cutting and chopping accomplished by the flail rotor 70 and its ability to gather and collect crop residue directly from the ground enables the forage harvester to further process such residue into a ready-to-feed form.
- This process is completed with one machine and one operator in a single pass thereby replacing the need for using multiple machines and multiple operators such as use of a flail windrower for first windrowing the crop residue, and it likewise eliminates the need for raking, baling or rolling the crop residue for further processing at another location.
- the present flail rotor head attachment 15 may include a flail rotor 70 , an auger 80 and a rake 230 positioned therebetween.
- the rake 230 includes a plurality of tines 250 for further engaging the crop residue and facilitating the funneling of the crop residue from the flail rotor 70 to the auger 80 .
- the tines 250 of the rake 230 help to further break up the crop residue and move such residue to the auger 80 thereby preventing any clogging or jamming of the crop residue enroute to the auger 80 .
- the tines 250 may be removable for facilitating adjustment and/or replacement and they can be secured to the rake 230 in any conventional manner.
- the attachment 15 is coupled directly to the front portion of the forage harvester 20 .
- any plurality of rakes 230 may be operatively connected in alignment to further facilitate movement of the crop residue within the housing 50 .
- the rake 230 is connected to at least one drive assembly 160 ′ ( FIG. 9 ) in a conventional manner such as by including additional drive sprockets or pulleys at at least one opposite end portion of the driveline 140 ′ for operative connection to a rake drive sprocket or pulley associated with at least one opposite end of the rake 230 .
- Rotation of the driveline 140 ′ will likewise rotate the rake 230 in the same direction as flail rotor 70 when the associated sprockets and other drive components are operatively coupled to each other through the use of chains, belts, gear boxes or other drive mechanisms.
- the auger 80 will rotate in the opposite direction relative to flail rotor 70 and rake 230 . Since the rake 230 turns in the same direction as the flail rotor 70 , the drive pulley or sprocket associated with the rake 230 could be coupled to the pulleys or sprockets 155 and 180 associated with flail rotor 70 for movement in the same direction as the flail rotor 70 and in the opposite direction as the auger 80 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a drive assembly 160 ′ for driving the flail rotor 70 , the rake 230 and the auger 80 .
- a driveline 140 ′ is associated with the rear portion of the head attachment 15 for providing power to the drive assembly 160 ′ located on one end portion of the attachment.
- the driveline 140 ′ powers and rotates the drive sprocket 150 ′ and also powers a main gear box 260 located at the proximate end portion thereof.
- the drive assembly 160 ′ may include a plurality of pulleys, sprockets, drives, tensioners and other mechanisms for connecting the flail rotor 70 , the rake 230 and the auger 80 to the driveline 140 ′.
- the driveline 140 ′ includes a coupling member (not shown) for coupling the power means of the forage harvester 20 to the driveline 140 ′ of the head attachment 15 .
- the driveline 140 ′ can directly couple the head attachment 15 to the power means associated with the forage harvester 20 by any suitable coupling means.
- an adapter may be utilized between the forage harvester 20 and the present head attachment 15 for coupling the head attachment 15 to the harvester 20 .
- the main gear box 260 is operatively coupled to a double sprocket 270 via a chain, belt or other drive means for facilitating the rotation of auger drive sprocket 210 ′ as illustrated in FIG. 9 .
- the auger drive sprocket 210 ′ is further coupled to the auger 80 for facilitating rotation of the auger 80 in an opposite direction as compared to the flail rotor 70 and the rake 230 .
- the gear box 260 is a reverse gear box which facilitates rotation of the double sprocket 270 in the opposite direction.
- the second sprocket (not shown) associated with sprocket 270 turns the auger drive sprocket 210 ′ via a chain, belt or other drive means 212 .
- the drive sprocket 150 ′ is further coupled to a driveline double sprocket 280 via a chain, belt or other drive means 192 for facilitating rotation thereof.
- the double sprocket 280 is operatively coupled to a flail drive sprocket 180 ′ via a chain, belt or other drive means 194 for facilitating rotation thereof.
- the flail drive sprocket 180 ′ is further coupled to the flail rotor 70 for facilitating rotation of the flail rotor 70 in the same direction as the rake 230 .
- a rake gear box 290 located behind gear box 260 is coupled to the main gear box 260 for facilitating the rotation of a rake sprocket 300 .
- the rake sprocket 300 is operatively coupled to a rake drive sprocket 310 via a chain, belt or other drive means 320 for facilitating the rotation thereof.
- the rake drive sprocket 310 is further coupled to the rake 230 for facilitating rotation of the rake 230 in the same direction as the flail rotor 70 .
- a tensioning mechanism 202 is positioned and located adjacent to the flail drive sprocket 180 ′ and engages the belt or other drive means 194 for ensuring that the drive means 194 remain tight when the flail rotor 70 is in operation. This tensioning mechanism 202 is similar to tensioning mechanism 200 .
- An additional tensioning mechanism 204 is positioned and located adjacent to the double sprocket 280 and engages the belt or other drive means 192 for ensuring that the drive means 192 remains tight when the driveline double sprocket 280 is in operation.
- the housing 50 ′ associated with the attachment 15 may likewise include a shield member 85 positioned and located as illustrated in FIG. 8 for likewise facilitating the funneling of the crop residue from the rake 230 to the auger 80 .
- the double sprocket 280 is operatively coupled to the driveline 330 for powering a corresponding sprocket 350 located on the opposite end portion of the attachment 15 relative to the double sprocket 280 .
- the sprocket 350 is operatively coupled to a flail drive sprocket 180 ′ via a chain, belt or other drive means 196 for facilitating rotation thereof at the opposite end portion of the attachment.
- a tensioning mechanism 206 is positioned and located adjacent to the flail drive sprocket 180 ′ and engages the belt or other drive means 196 for ensuring that the drive means 196 remains tight when the flail drive sprocket 180 ′ is in operation similar to tensioning mechanism 202 .
- This arrangement provides additional drive power to the flail rotor 70 .
- the auger 80 and the rake 230 are powered from one side only of the attachment 15 via the drive assembly 160 ′.
- the present head attachment 15 including the flail rotor 70 , the auger 80 , the housing 50 , and its associated other components function and operate in a manner substantially similar to the operation of head attachment 10 .
- attachment 15 can likewise be coupled to an adapter under certain conditions.
- Either embodiment of the present invention namely, head attachment 10 or head attachment 15
- head attachment 10 or head attachment 15 can be mounted to the front of a forage harvester 20 or other harvesting type machine in a conventional manner such as through the use of an adapter such as adapter 175 , or they can be attached directly to a forage harvester 20 , or by other conventional means, for extracting crop residue from a harvested field as explained above.
- Both embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need for multiple passes over the harvested field and both embodiments cut, chop and collect the crop residue for further processing by the forage harvester 20 .
- the housing 50 may also include a plurality of hollow tool bars 58 which function as a stabilizing means for the housing 50 . It is recognized and anticipated that other means may likewise be used to stabilize the housing 50 , if necessary.
- the housing 50 may further include a plurality of vents 360 ( FIG. 9 ) which functions to regulate the release of heat, dust and exhaust from the attachments 10 and 15 . It is recognized and anticipated that other means may likewise be used to vent the attachments 10 and 15 , if necessary. It is also recognized that the front portion of the attachments 10 and 15 may likewise include any plurality of wheels (not shown) for facilitating movement of the attachments 10 and 15 through a harvested field.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/404,959, filed Feb. 24, 2014, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to head attachments for harvesting machines and, more particularly, to a flail rotor head attachment which is especially adapted for use in conjunction with a forage harvester.
- The automation of crop harvesting is an integral aspect of modern agriculture. Devices to aid and improve the harvesting process are widely sought after to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Automation has increased the speed at which many crops are harvested and it has reduced the necessity of manual labor. However, the automation of harvesting still remains relatively expensive in instances where the use of multiple machines is required due to the costs of paying machine operators, fuel, maintenance and the purchase of the machines themselves.
- Once a crop has been harvested from a field, varying amounts of crop residue (e.g. stalks, leaves, roots, chaff, tare, stubble, straw, cobs, pods, hulls, fibers, silage, fodder or other plant matter) remain in the harvested fields. Crop residue has a number of different uses, for example, it is sometimes further processed in a variety of ways for use as bio-fuel, animal feed or other bi-products. Collecting crop residue from harvested fields oftentimes involves the use of several different types of machines. For example, once a corn crop has been harvested, standing corn stubble or already combined corn stalks remain in the field. This corn stubble or stalks is typically harvested for use as animal feed. Normally a series of machines or operations are required to collect the corn residue and convert it into animal feed. First, the corn stubble or stalks need to be cut, chopped and windrowed in a first operation. Windrowing is a row of cut crop residue such as a small grain crop or hay which is organized and collected in a row on the ground and allowed to dry before being baled, combined or rolled as necessary. Typically, a flail windrower machine is used to accomplish this task. A flail windrower will cut, shred and windrow the remaining corn stalks in a single pass and will build neat, uniform windrows on the ground ready for baling or stacking. Depending upon the type of crop residue, the volume of such residue from time to time may necessitate the use of a rake for combining two or more windrows together, creating piles of crop residue large enough to be processed such as by a forage harvester.
- Once the corn residue is windrowed, the windrowed stalks are typically baled in a second operation through the use of a baler machine. The baler will parcel the crop residue into bales for pickup at a later time. Alternatively, if a baler is not used, a forage harvester may be used to pick up the windrowed crop residue and load the same into a vehicle for transport. The bailed or otherwise gathered corn residue is then transported to a feed yard in a transportation operation where the bales or collected crop residue are then further ground and mixed with other feed or supplements in a further operation for use as animal feed. These multiple operations are time consuming; they can take several days or weeks to accomplish; and the use of multiple machines is expensive when you consider the cost of each machine, the fuel consumption required, and the manpower necessary to accomplish these multiple tasks.
- In present day harvesting operations, there is therefore a need for improving the efficiency of gathering and collecting crop residue and for reducing the number of machines and/or operations necessary to accomplish the task. Streamlining the overall operation and reducing the overall costs involved is desirous.
- The present invention relates generally to head attachments for harvesting machines and, more particularly, to a flail rotor head attachment which is especially adapted for use in conjunction with a forage harvester.
- The automation of crop harvesting is an integral aspect of modern agriculture. Devices to aid and improve the harvesting process are widely sought after to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Automation has increased the speed at which many crops are harvested and it has reduced the necessity of manual labor. However, the automation of harvesting still remains relatively expensive in instances where the use of multiple machines is required due to the costs of paying machine operators, fuel, maintenance and the purchase of the machines themselves.
- Once a crop has been harvested from a field, varying amounts of crop residue (e.g. stalks, leaves, roots, chaff, tare, stubble, straw, cobs, pods, hulls, fibers, silage, fodder or other plant matter) remain in the harvested fields. Crop residue has a number of different uses, for example, it is sometimes further processed in a variety of ways for use as bio-fuel, animal feed or other bi-products. Collecting crop residue from harvested fields oftentimes involves the use of several different types of machines. For example, once a corn crop has been harvested, standing corn stubble or already combined corn stalks remain in the field. This corn stubble or stalks is typically harvested for use as animal feed. Normally a series of machines or operations are required to collect the corn residue and convert it into animal feed. First, the corn stubble or stalks need to be cut, chopped and windrowed in a first operation. Windrowing is a row of cut crop residue such as a small grain crop or hay which is organized and collected in a row on the ground and allowed to dry before being baled, combined or rolled as necessary. Typically, a flail windrower machine is used to accomplish this task. A flail windrower will cut, shred and windrow the remaining corn stalks in a single pass and will build neat, uniform windrows on the ground ready for baling or stacking. Depending upon the type of crop residue, the volume of such residue from time to time may necessitate the use of a rake for combining two or more windrows together, creating piles of crop residue large enough to be processed such as by a forage harvester.
- Once the corn residue is windrowed, the windrowed stalks are typically baled in a second operation through the use of a baler machine. The baler will parcel the crop residue into bales for pickup at a later time. Alternatively, if a baler is not used, a forage harvester may be used to pick up the windrowed crop residue and load the same into a vehicle for transport. The bailed or otherwise gathered corn residue is then transported to a feed yard in a transportation operation where the bales or collected crop residue are then further ground and mixed with other feed or supplements in a further operation for use as animal feed. These multiple operations are time consuming; they can take several days or weeks to accomplish; and the use of multiple machines is expensive when you consider the cost of each machine, the fuel consumption required, and the manpower necessary to accomplish these multiple tasks.
- In present day harvesting operations, there is therefore a need for improving the efficiency of gathering and collecting crop residue and for reducing the number of machines and/or operations necessary to accomplish the task. Streamlining the overall operation and reducing the overall costs involved is desirous.
- The present invention teaches the construction and operation of several embodiments of a flail rotor head attachment adaptable for use with a forage harvester and other machines in gathering, collecting, cutting and chopping crop residue such as already combined corn stalks in a single pass for use as animal feed or other bi-products. The present apparatus combines multiple operations associated with gathering and using crop residue, which streamlined operation is more efficient, greatly improves the method of harvesting crop residue, eliminates multiple passes over the same harvested field using a multitude of different types of farm equipment, and it greatly improves profitability. By mounting the present flail rotor head attachment on the front of a forage or silage harvester, the operator is able to extract corn stalks or stubble or other crop residue from a row, cut and chop the foliage into a ready-to-feed form, and then place the chopped crop residue into a vehicle such as a truck or wagon for transportation to a feed yard or other location. This process is completed with one machine and one operator thereby replacing the need for the use of multiple machines and multiple operators as presently accomplished. The present apparatus and process eliminates the need for use of a flail windrower for windrowing the crop residue, and it likewise eliminates the need for raking, baling or rolling the crop residue prior to transportation to its end destination.
- In accordance with the teachings of one embodiment of the present invention, a flail rotor head attachment for gathering standing or downed crop residue is disclosed wherein the apparatus includes a housing and associated frame structure operably coupled to the front portion of a forage harvester or other harvesting type machine, the housing including a flail rotor and an auger. The flail rotor includes a plurality of cutting elements for cutting and/or chopping crop residue enroute to the forage harvester. In this regard, the flail rotor is positioned and located so as to pick up the crop residue directly off of the ground and then feed such crop residue into an associated auger for funneling the residue through the input opening associated with the forage harvester. The auger feeds the crop residue from each opposite end portion towards the center for discharge into the inlet opening of the forage harvester. A driveline with an associated drive sprocket powers the flail rotor and auger through connection to the forage harvester. In this regard, the present apparatus includes a drive assembly which is powered by the driveline for moving the flail rotor and auger in the same direction. The drive assembly may include a plurality of pulleys, drives, tensioners, and other mechanisms for connecting the flail rotor and the auger to the driveline. The driveline is conventionally coupled to a gear box or other power means associated with the forage harvester or an adapter as will be hereinafter further explained.
- In another aspect of the present invention, the flail rotor head attachment is provided with a rake mechanism for receiving crop residue from the flail rotor and thereafter passing such crop residue onto the auger. In this particular embodiment, the rake mechanism is located between the flail rotor and the auger and includes a shaft with a plurality of pick-up teeth associated therewith. The rake shaft is likewise coupled to the drive assembly for powering the rake mechanism through the driveline associated with the present apparatus. Depending upon the type of crop residue being collected, the rake mechanism will improve the pick-up and funneling of the crop residue to the auger. Where the rake mechanism is utilized, the flail rotor and rake will rotate in the same direction while the auger will rotate in the opposite direction.
- The flail rotor, auger and rake mechanisms are all supported on a frame structure associated with the overall housing. This frame structure likewise includes an attachment mechanism for coupling the overall head attachment to a forage harvester or other crop harvesting machine. In addition, it is recognized and anticipated that the flail rotor, rake mechanism and auger may include a plurality of such mechanisms coupled together for unit movement. The housing may likewise include a hood for providing access to the internal structure of the present head attachment. Still further, the various embodiments of the present flail rotor head attachment can be utilized and coupled to any work machine in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the overall efficiency of removing crop residue from a harvested field by eliminating the multiple passes which are currently necessary to accomplish this task.
- These and other objects and advantages of the present flail rotor head assembly will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description of several illustrative embodiments of the present invention in connection with the accompanying drawings.
- For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present flail rotor head assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention shown attached to a forage harvester. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 1 taken through the exit opening of the housing and the input opening of an adapter associated with a forage harvester. -
FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a flail rotor associated with the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3B is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of an auger associated with the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a conventional Kuma adapter and the exit opening of the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 1 attached to a forage harvester and showing the drive assembly associated therewith. -
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan form view of the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 1 attached to a forage harvester. -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present flail rotor head attachment taken through the exit opening of the housing and the input opening of a forage harvester constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 8 attached to a forage harvester and showing the drive assembly associated therewith. -
FIG. 10 is a side view of the second side of the flail rotor head attachment ofFIG. 8 . - It should be understood that the present drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts or struct.
- Referring now to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,
FIGS. 1-7 identify one embodiment of a flailrotor head attachment 10 for cutting and collecting crop residue from the ground. The flailrotor head attachment 10 may be operably attached to a forage harvester such as theforage harvester 20, or to any other similar type of machine which further processes crop residue. In this embodiment, theforage harvester 20 operates in a traditional manner by cutting and chopping the crop residue and the present flailrotor head attachment 10 operates to more effectively and efficiently gather, collect and cut crop residue prior to entry into the forage harvester in a single pass thereby eliminating multiple passes over the same harvested field with different types of farm equipment to accomplish the same task. Once the crop residue has been processed by both thepresent head attachment 10 and theforage harvester 20, theforage harvester 20 feeds the crop residue into achute 30 for depositing the crop residue into a vehicle such as thevehicle 40 illustrated inFIG. 1 for transporting the processed crop residue to its end destination. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 2 , 3A, 3B, 4 and 5, the flailrotor head attachment 10 includes ahousing 50 and associated frame structure for operably connecting or coupling theattachment 10 to the front portion of aforage harvester 20. Thehousing 50 may further include ahood 60 which may be removably attached or otherwise opened and/or removed for access to theflail rotor 70 and theauger 80. Thehousing 50 may be operably attached to the frame structure by any suitable attachment means. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 2 , 3A, 3B, 4 and 5, the flailrotor head attachment 10 includes ahousing 50 and associated frame structure for operably connecting or coupling theattachment 10 to the front portion of aforage harvester 20. Thehousing 50 may further include ahood 60 which may be removably attached or otherwise opened and/or removed for access to theflail rotor 70 and theauger 80. Thehousing 50 may be operably attached to the frame structure by any suitable attachment means. - In one embodiment, the flail
rotor head attachment 10 includes aflail rotor 70 and anauger 80. Theattachment 10 may include one ormore flail rotors 70 operatively coupled together to function as a single unit, and it may include one ormore augers 80 similarly operatively coupled together to function as a single unit, depending on the desired length of theoverall head attachment 10 as will be hereinafter further explained. - The
flail rotor 70 as best illustrated inFIGS. 2-4 and 6-8 is positioned in front ofauger 80 and includes a plurality of cuttingelements 90 for cutting and/or chopping crop residue as it picks up such residue from the ground and funnels it to theauger 80 and to theforage harvester 20. The cuttingelements 90 may be removable from theflail rotor 70 for facilitating sharpening and/or replacement and, in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2-4 , are operably secured to theflail rotor 70 such that they extend outward in their operative position when theflail rotor 70 is in motion. In this regard, each cuttingelement 90 is freely attached to a bracket or clampmember 92 by means of a carriage clasp orring type member 94 which allows the cuttingelement 90 to freely move from a position wherein theelement 90 lies adjacent to or abutting theflail rotor 70 as shown inFIG. 3A to an operative extended position as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 . The rotational movement or centrifugal force generated by rotation of theflail rotor 70 keeps the cuttingelements 90 extended to both cut and collect the crop residue as theattachment 10 moves through a harvested field. Thebracket member 92 may include a stop mechanism or other structure for preventing the cuttingelements 90 from over extending. In an alternative embodiment, the cuttingelements 90 may be attached to theflail rotor 70 so as to permanently extend in an operative position. Theflail rotor 70 functions to cut, chop and remove crop residue including harvested corn stalks directly from the ground. Theflail rotor 70 is also positioned and located in thehousing 50 and relative to theauger 80 as illustrated inFIG. 2 so as to feed the crop residue intoauger 80 for funneling the crop residue out of the housing exit opening 56 (FIG. 4 ) and into the input opening 100 of aconventional Kuma adapter 175. - It is also recognized that the
flail rotor 70 can include a single rotor extending the full width of thehead attachment 10 such as the width illustrated inFIG. 1 , or theflail rotor 70 can include a plurality ofrotors 70 coupled in operative alignment with each other so as to span the entire width of thehead attachment 10 and such that thedrive assemblies 160 associated with each opposite end of theattachment 10 drive the entire plurality offlail rotors 70. In this regard, as best illustrated inFIG. 6 , a pair offlail rotors 70 are illustrated therein connected in operative alignment with each other and coupled at each opposite end to arespective drive assembly 160 for powering the same. It is recognized and anticipated that any plurality of flail rotors, including more than tworotors 70, can be operatively connected in alignment with each other to both accommodate the overall width of thehead attachment 10 and to facilitate installation and maintenance thereof. - The flail
rotor head attachment 10 likewise includes anauger 80 as best illustrated inFIGS. 2-4 and 6. Theauger 80 includes a pair offlightings FIGS. 3B and 6 , each flighting 130 being oriented in a manner so as to funnel the crop residue coming into contact with theflightings flail rotor 70 towards the center of thehead attachment 10 and, more particularly, towards the housing exit opening 56 for feeding such crop residue through theexit opening 56 and into the input opening 100 associated with the Kuma adapter 175 (FIG. 4 ). As illustrated inFIGS. 3B and 6 , theauger 80 in this particular embodiment includes two separate augers coupled in operative alignment with each other, oneauger 80 including thefighting 130A and theother auger 80 including the flighting 130B. As best illustrated inFIG. 3B ,auger 80 including the flighting 130A includes ashaft portion 110 and theauger 80 including flighting 130B includes ashaft portion 120, theshaft portions FIG. 6 and having their opposite end portions connected to therespective drive assemblies 160. Theauger 80 is positioned and located aft of theflail rotor 70 and rotates in the same direction as compared to theflail rotor 70 such that the crop residue received from theflail rotor 70 is continuously moved and funneled rearwardly through theauger 80 and through the housing exit opening 56 as illustrated inFIG. 2 . Thehousing 50 may include ashield member 82 positioned and located underneath theauger 80 and adjacent to theflail rotor 70 for facilitating the funneling of the crop residue from theflail rotor 70 to theauger 80. Theshield 82 also helps to prevent crop residue from falling to the bottom of thehousing 50 and becoming unavailable for funneling to theforage harvester 20. - As with the
flail rotor 70, any plurality ofaugers 80 can be operatively connected in alignment with each other so long as theflightings exit opening 56. It is likewise recognized and anticipated that asingle auger 80 can be utilized so long as the fighting associated with each opposite end portion of a single auger is again configured differently so as to be comparable to theflightings housing 50. - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , adriveline 140 is associated with the rear portion of thehead attachment 10 for providing power to thedrive assemblies 160 located at each opposite end portion of theflail rotor 70 andauger 80. Thedriveline 140 and thedrive assemblies 160 form the drive mechanism of theattachment 10. Thedriveline 140 includes adrive sprocket 150 located at each opposite end portion thereof for powering theauger 80 and it likewise includes a sprocket orpulley 155 located at each opposite end portion thereof for powering theflail rotor 70 as will be hereinafter further explained. Theentire drive assembly 160 located at each opposite end of thehead attachment 10 is powered by thedriveline 140 which is conventionally coupled to agear box 170 or other power means associated with either theadapter 175 or theforage harvester 20. - The
drive assemblies 160 may include a plurality of pulleys, sprockets, drives, tensioners and other mechanisms for connecting theflail rotor 70 and theauger 80 to thedriveline 140. In this regard, as best illustrated inFIG. 6 , thedriveline 140 is split at the center thereof and includes a pair of connectingmembers 142 for coupling to agear box 170 or other power means associated with either an adapter or theforage harvester 20. In the particular embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 , aconventional Kuma adapter 175 is utilized between theforage harvester 20 and thepresent head attachment 10 for coupling thehead attachment 10 to theharvester 20. The Kuma adapter is well-known in the industry and is used to attach any combine-type head to a forage harvester. TheKuma adapter 175 includes a drive shaft 177 (FIG. 4 ) which is attachable at each opposite end portion to thecoupling members 142 associated withdriveline 140. A gear box 170 (FIGS. 4 and 5 ) is associated with theadapter 175 and powers thedrive shaft 177. In turn, the driveline of theforage harvester 20 is connected to thegear box 170 and powers the same. Here again, depending upon the type of adapter used, thedriveline 140 can be connected to the power means of theforage harvester 20 through the adapter by any suitable means. Still further, in certain situations, it is also recognized and anticipated that thedriveline 140 can be coupled directly to the power means associated with the forage harvester by any suitable coupling means. - In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thedrive assemblies 160 each further include anauger drive sprocket 210 which is operatively coupled to theauger 80 and is further operatively coupled to thedrive sprocket 150 via a chain, belt or other drive means 220 for facilitating rotation thereof as best illustrated inFIG. 5 . In similar fashion, theflail rotor 70 includes a flail drive pulley orsprocket 180 which is operatively coupled to theflail rotor 70 and is further operatively coupled to the drive pulley orsprocket 155 via a belt, chain or other drive means 190 for facilitating rotation thereof as best illustrated inFIG. 5 . Atensioning mechanism 200 is positioned and located adjacent to the flail drive pulley orsprocket 180 and engages the belt or other drive means 190 for ensuring that the drive means 190 remains tight when theflail rotor 70 is in operation. Asimilar tensioning sprocket 215 is positioned and located to engage the chain or other drive means 220 for ensuring that the drive means 220 remains tight when theauger 80 is in operation. It is recognized and anticipated that other drive assembly arrangements may likewise be utilized at each opposite end of thehead attachment 10 for turning theflail rotor 70 and theauger 80 in the same direction. It is also recognized and anticipated that only onedrive assembly 160 located at only one of the opposite ends of theattachment 10 may be utilized to rotate theflail rotor 70 and theauger 80. - In operation, when the
driveline 140 is engaged and rotating, thedrive sprocket 150 in conjunction with theauger sprocket 210 and its associated drive means 220 turn theauger 80 in one direction. In a similar arrangement, the drive pulley orsprocket 155 in conjunction with the flail drive pulley orsprocket 180 and its associated drive means 190 turn theflail rotor 70 in one direction. As best illustrated inFIG. 2 , theflail rotor 70 cuts and picks up crop material from the ground and the cuttingelements 90 move the crop residue to theauger 80 so that theauger 80 can then funnel the crop residue through thehousing exit opening 56 and into theadapter opening 100 for feeding the crop residue into theforage harvester 20. Thehousing 50 associated with thepresent head attachment 10 is configured so as to facilitate the funneling of the crop residue from theflail rotor 70 to theauger 80. - As best illustrated in
FIG. 4 , theKuma adapter 175 likewise includes a conveying means in the form ofrotating blades 179 for feeding the crop residue through theKuma adapter 175 and into the forage harvester. Once the crop residue is inside the forage harvester, theharvester 20 will further cut, chop and process the crop residue into a ready-to-feed form for transfer to a vehicle such as the vehicle 40 (FIG. 1 ) for transportation to a feed yard or other location. The additional cutting and chopping accomplished by theflail rotor 70 and its ability to gather and collect crop residue directly from the ground enables the forage harvester to further process such residue into a ready-to-feed form. This process is completed with one machine and one operator in a single pass thereby replacing the need for using multiple machines and multiple operators such as use of a flail windrower for first windrowing the crop residue, and it likewise eliminates the need for raking, baling or rolling the crop residue for further processing at another location. - In yet another embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 8 , the present flailrotor head attachment 15 may include aflail rotor 70, anauger 80 and arake 230 positioned therebetween. Therake 230 includes a plurality oftines 250 for further engaging the crop residue and facilitating the funneling of the crop residue from theflail rotor 70 to theauger 80. Depending upon the type of crop residue being collected, thetines 250 of therake 230 help to further break up the crop residue and move such residue to theauger 80 thereby preventing any clogging or jamming of the crop residue enroute to theauger 80. Thetines 250 may be removable for facilitating adjustment and/or replacement and they can be secured to therake 230 in any conventional manner. In this embodiment, theattachment 15 is coupled directly to the front portion of theforage harvester 20. - Like the
flail rotor 70 andauger 80, depending upon the overall width of thepresent head attachment 15, any plurality ofrakes 230 may be operatively connected in alignment to further facilitate movement of the crop residue within thehousing 50. Likeflail rotor 70 andauger 80, therake 230 is connected to at least onedrive assembly 160′ (FIG. 9 ) in a conventional manner such as by including additional drive sprockets or pulleys at at least one opposite end portion of thedriveline 140′ for operative connection to a rake drive sprocket or pulley associated with at least one opposite end of therake 230. Rotation of thedriveline 140′ will likewise rotate therake 230 in the same direction asflail rotor 70 when the associated sprockets and other drive components are operatively coupled to each other through the use of chains, belts, gear boxes or other drive mechanisms. Theauger 80 will rotate in the opposite direction relative to flailrotor 70 andrake 230. Since therake 230 turns in the same direction as theflail rotor 70, the drive pulley or sprocket associated with therake 230 could be coupled to the pulleys orsprockets flail rotor 70 for movement in the same direction as theflail rotor 70 and in the opposite direction as theauger 80. -
FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of adrive assembly 160′ for driving theflail rotor 70, therake 230 and theauger 80. Adriveline 140′ is associated with the rear portion of thehead attachment 15 for providing power to thedrive assembly 160′ located on one end portion of the attachment. Thedriveline 140′ powers and rotates thedrive sprocket 150′ and also powers amain gear box 260 located at the proximate end portion thereof. Thedrive assembly 160′ may include a plurality of pulleys, sprockets, drives, tensioners and other mechanisms for connecting theflail rotor 70, therake 230 and theauger 80 to thedriveline 140′. In this regard, thedriveline 140′ includes a coupling member (not shown) for coupling the power means of theforage harvester 20 to thedriveline 140′ of thehead attachment 15. In this particular embodiment, thedriveline 140′ can directly couple thehead attachment 15 to the power means associated with theforage harvester 20 by any suitable coupling means. Still further, in certain situations, it is also recognized that an adapter may be utilized between theforage harvester 20 and thepresent head attachment 15 for coupling thehead attachment 15 to theharvester 20. - The
main gear box 260 is operatively coupled to adouble sprocket 270 via a chain, belt or other drive means for facilitating the rotation ofauger drive sprocket 210′ as illustrated inFIG. 9 . Theauger drive sprocket 210′ is further coupled to theauger 80 for facilitating rotation of theauger 80 in an opposite direction as compared to theflail rotor 70 and therake 230. Thegear box 260 is a reverse gear box which facilitates rotation of thedouble sprocket 270 in the opposite direction. The second sprocket (not shown) associated withsprocket 270 turns theauger drive sprocket 210′ via a chain, belt or other drive means 212. - The
drive sprocket 150′ is further coupled to a drivelinedouble sprocket 280 via a chain, belt or other drive means 192 for facilitating rotation thereof. Similarly, thedouble sprocket 280 is operatively coupled to aflail drive sprocket 180′ via a chain, belt or other drive means 194 for facilitating rotation thereof. Theflail drive sprocket 180′ is further coupled to theflail rotor 70 for facilitating rotation of theflail rotor 70 in the same direction as therake 230. In similar fashion, arake gear box 290 located behindgear box 260 is coupled to themain gear box 260 for facilitating the rotation of arake sprocket 300. Therake sprocket 300 is operatively coupled to arake drive sprocket 310 via a chain, belt or other drive means 320 for facilitating the rotation thereof. Therake drive sprocket 310 is further coupled to therake 230 for facilitating rotation of therake 230 in the same direction as theflail rotor 70. Atensioning mechanism 202 is positioned and located adjacent to theflail drive sprocket 180′ and engages the belt or other drive means 194 for ensuring that the drive means 194 remain tight when theflail rotor 70 is in operation. Thistensioning mechanism 202 is similar totensioning mechanism 200. Anadditional tensioning mechanism 204 is positioned and located adjacent to thedouble sprocket 280 and engages the belt or other drive means 192 for ensuring that the drive means 192 remains tight when the drivelinedouble sprocket 280 is in operation. Thehousing 50′ associated with theattachment 15 may likewise include ashield member 85 positioned and located as illustrated inFIG. 8 for likewise facilitating the funneling of the crop residue from therake 230 to theauger 80. - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 9 and 10 , thedouble sprocket 280 is operatively coupled to thedriveline 330 for powering acorresponding sprocket 350 located on the opposite end portion of theattachment 15 relative to thedouble sprocket 280. Thesprocket 350 is operatively coupled to aflail drive sprocket 180′ via a chain, belt or other drive means 196 for facilitating rotation thereof at the opposite end portion of the attachment. Atensioning mechanism 206 is positioned and located adjacent to theflail drive sprocket 180′ and engages the belt or other drive means 196 for ensuring that the drive means 196 remains tight when theflail drive sprocket 180′ is in operation similar totensioning mechanism 202. This arrangement provides additional drive power to theflail rotor 70. In this particular embodiment, theauger 80 and therake 230 are powered from one side only of theattachment 15 via thedrive assembly 160′. - It is likewise recognized and anticipated that other drive mechanisms could be utilized in association with
drive assembly 160′ for turning therake 230 in the same direction as theflail rotor 70 and for turning theauger 80 in the opposite direction. In all other respects, thepresent head attachment 15 including theflail rotor 70, theauger 80, thehousing 50, and its associated other components function and operate in a manner substantially similar to the operation ofhead attachment 10. Likeattachment 10,attachment 15 can likewise be coupled to an adapter under certain conditions. - Either embodiment of the present invention, namely,
head attachment 10 orhead attachment 15, can be mounted to the front of aforage harvester 20 or other harvesting type machine in a conventional manner such as through the use of an adapter such asadapter 175, or they can be attached directly to aforage harvester 20, or by other conventional means, for extracting crop residue from a harvested field as explained above. Both embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need for multiple passes over the harvested field and both embodiments cut, chop and collect the crop residue for further processing by theforage harvester 20. - The
housing 50 may also include a plurality of hollow tool bars 58 which function as a stabilizing means for thehousing 50. It is recognized and anticipated that other means may likewise be used to stabilize thehousing 50, if necessary. Thehousing 50 may further include a plurality of vents 360 (FIG. 9 ) which functions to regulate the release of heat, dust and exhaust from theattachments attachments attachments attachments - Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel head attachment to a forage harvester. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims (24)
Priority Applications (1)
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US14/286,318 US9003756B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2014-05-23 | Rake positioned between a flail rotor and an auger |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/404,959 US8806844B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2012-02-24 | Flail motor head attachment |
US14/286,318 US9003756B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2014-05-23 | Rake positioned between a flail rotor and an auger |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/404,959 Division US8806844B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2012-02-24 | Flail motor head attachment |
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US20140260156A1 true US20140260156A1 (en) | 2014-09-18 |
US9003756B2 US9003756B2 (en) | 2015-04-14 |
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Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/404,959 Expired - Fee Related US8806844B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2012-02-24 | Flail motor head attachment |
US14/286,318 Expired - Fee Related US9003756B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2014-05-23 | Rake positioned between a flail rotor and an auger |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/404,959 Expired - Fee Related US8806844B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2012-02-24 | Flail motor head attachment |
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US20220030770A1 (en) * | 2020-05-27 | 2022-02-03 | George Fazakas | Agricultural Implement for Field-Collection, Pulverization and Field-Dispersement of Flax or Hemp Straw |
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CN105850354A (en) * | 2016-06-08 | 2016-08-17 | 塔里木大学 | Combined operating machine for cotton stalk pulling-up, smashing and returning and surface-layer residual film recovery |
US20220030770A1 (en) * | 2020-05-27 | 2022-02-03 | George Fazakas | Agricultural Implement for Field-Collection, Pulverization and Field-Dispersement of Flax or Hemp Straw |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8806844B2 (en) | 2014-08-19 |
US9003756B2 (en) | 2015-04-14 |
US20130219847A1 (en) | 2013-08-29 |
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